Get creative
Organize your art supplies and get to crafting. Consider painting Mount Fuji, recreating this famous Japanese masterpiece, or learning origami.
Need more inspiration? Check out these virtual tours of famous Japanese museums and more.
Pick a film
Watch a movie that relates to your destination. Some ideas for Japan include:
- Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)
- Lost in Translation (2003)*
- Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
*Rated R (may not be suitable for all students)
Study some history
Dive deep into the history of specific sites you’ll visit on tour. Study the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the former feudal checkpoint of Hakone, or the samurai district of Kanazawa. Then, tour some of Japan’s ancient history and modern marvels with this virtual reality video.
Choose a book
Read and discuss a book that takes place in your destination or describes the local culture. Pick from titles like:
- Lost Japan by Alex Kerr
- The Street of a Thousand Blossoms by Gail Tsukiyama
- A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
Fill up your plate
Arrange a potluck and encourage your friends to bring a traditional dish from your destination. Know a chef? Hold a virtual Japanese cooking class with your travel group or support a local restaurant that offers delivery/take-out of your destination’s cuisine. Try tempura, sashimi, mochi, udon, or onigiri (rice balls).
Learn the language
Call up a friend or set up a group video chat and practice your language skills. It helps to make flashcards with common sayings to use on the phone or throughout your travels (think about ordering at restaurants, buying souvenirs, and chatting with locals).
Did you know?
The country of Japan is made up of 6,852 islands!
Meet Your Partner in Travel
Kon’nichiwa! Rocio got to spend two weeks in Japan for her honeymoon, and she describes every place she visited as an explosive, culturally immersive experience. Her favorites include walking around the streets of the ultra-organized city of Tokyo, visiting the ancient Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples in Kyoto, and feeding the world-famous deer in Nara. Of course, she also recommends relaxing in an onsen (Japanese hot spring) at the mountain town of Hakone and eating your heart out (Rocio experienced Michelin-star rated restaurants for the first time in Japan!). Ever since she returned, Rocio hasn’t been able to forget about this distinct and unique country. She has been spending her time scouting authentic Japanese restaurants all over San Diego, learning how to make homemade ramen, and planning her next trip to Japan.